Question for Stephen Whiteside

[Neville Briggs]

Stephen, I noticed on one of your posts ( before it sank into chaotic chattering )
that you thought that your writing was more suitable for children.

There have been two people famously good with children's literature. . One is Roald Dahl, I wondered what you thought of him (with his "Revolting Rhymes" ).

The other is Australian broadcaster, the late Keith Smith. Yesterday on ABC Radio National I heard a recording of an interview with Keith Smith. He was famous for his candid radio ( later TV ) interviews with children called The Pied Piper. He started in an age when children were " invisible " in public life, so his children's media presentations were internationally considered to be very original and creative. When I heard the interview I thought of you and your work. I wonder if you have heard of him, and what you think of his work. He wrote a lot of children's literature.

[Stephen Whiteside]

Yes, I'm a great fan of Roald Dahl. I haven't read all his books, but I've read a fair bit. He's quite an interesting character. There's quite a lot of moralising in his stories. In many ways he's quite strict and conventional (as most good children's writers are, I think), but he does it in a very gruesome, inventive and entertaining way. Have you ever heard his poem, 'The Anteater'? It's absolutely brilliant. I heard him reading it on ABC radio many years ago. Really good.

I must admit I know much less about Keith Smith. I was given a copy of his book of riddles as a child, which I enjoyed a lot. He must have been a voice in the wilderness back then.

There are many fabulous poets for children. AA Milne, of course. Shel Silverstein is great. (He also wrote the songs for the Ned Kelly movie with Mick Jagger in it. He also wrote a lot of the songs that Captain Hook sang - Sylvia's Mother being one that springs to mind.) The Englishman Roger McGough is brilliant. Robert Louis Stevenson did some great stuff for kids. On the home front, Doug McLeod is one of the best. Check out 'Sister Madge's Book of Nuns'. Absolutely brilliant! Jackie Hosking is also very good. And Max Fatchen, of course.

[Maureen K Clifford]

I remember those Pied Piper shows with the kids they were hilarious - all the more so because the kids actually were deadly serious with their responses. My son grew up with Augustus Gloop and The Dentist and the Crocodile and loved them

[Stephen Whiteside]

Pied PIper shows. Yes, that rings just the faintest of bells...

[Vic Jefferies]

Shel Siverstein's greatest achievement (ask Ross Magnay) was writing the immortal, A Boy Named Sue!
As far as literature for children I think Mark Twain and Robert Louis Stevenson must be the stand outs. Read some time ago that Mark Twain is still the biggest selling author in America.
I was an avid reader as a boy and Richmal Crompton's William books were among my favourites together with Captain John's, Biggles.
I suppose however, Harry Potter has put an end to that sort of thing but it is wonderful to see kids so interested in reading again.
As someone recently said when discussing the impending doom of daily newspapers, "If we give them quality papers that they want to read they will buy them."

[Stephen Whiteside]

Of course, Vic, how could I forget 'A Boy Named Sue'!

I was too young for the William books, but I did enjoy Biggles. Tarzan was great, too. I also really enjoyed Arthur Ransome - 'Swallows and Amazons' and 'Swallowdale'.

I've never really thought of Mark Twain as a children's writer. Apart from Tom Sawyer, of course. But Huckleberry Finn is really a book for grown-ups, I reckon - though it has produced a number of great films for children, of course. Then there are all the travel books, the memoirs, and some pretty dark fiction.

Mustn't forget our own CJ Dennis and Norman Lindsay. I think 'The Magic Pudding' has stood the test of time much better than 'Book For Kids'. And let's not forget May Gibbs' gum nut babies! And Ida Rentoul Outhwaite's fairies!

[Bob Pacey]

How did you guys find time to read as kids? I left home in the morning and came home at dark. spent all day making adventures of my own.


Bob

[keats]

If you want to read truly Australian kids poetry, then go no fitter than Marco Gliori. This bloke has been publishing kids poetry since he kicked off a couple of decades ago. He has been employed most of that time by the Arts Cpuncil to take Poetry into schools Australia wide and most schools in Australia have his collection on their library shelves. Others go to the schools, but when it comes to bush poetry, Marco certainly was the pioneer in Poetry In Schools and his wonderful children's works show why.
I too am a big Shel fan and love his lids works in particular, but wouldn't call it culture based.

Cheers
Keats

[Bob Pacey]

Yeah you are right Keats. I was talking to some ladies out at Clermont last year and all they talked about was Marco when he visited the school at Capella. They said that kids would not stop raving about the visit and that was about three years before I think.


Bob

[Stephen Whiteside]

Yes, I've heard a lot about Marco. I've never had the good fortune to meet him, but hopefully I will one day.